ORS 2007-2008 Events

ORS Poster Competition and Closing BanquetApril 24, 2008
To celebrate the accomplishments of the Scholars and Mentors, a
closing banquet was held at the end of the Spring semester in conjunction
with the partner ORS program in the College of Computing. A final
poster competition was held that included a “Best project” Award
selected by the ORS Scholars. Awards were distributed to the program participants
and special accomplishments were highlighted. Attendees included
faculty members and support staff from both ECE and the COC.

ECE Fair and Poster CompetitionMarch 24, 2008
This school-wide fair held mid-semester was an opportunity to showcase the exciting
research across the School of ECE as well as to debut the ECE creative arts digital
magazine. All ORS scholars participated in the poster competition with two groups
landing the top three award places. An ORS mentor, Sekou Remy, also placed in
the graduate student competition for his innovative research. Work submitted
by ORS participants was also represented throughout ECESIS, the ECE digital magazine.

Presenting Scientific Research : Conducted by Christina Bourgeois
and Jill AuerbachMarch 2008
A continuation of the Scientific Research Skills theme, this workshop further
expanded upon scientific research poster development tips and also covered strategies
for presenting the research poster. Tips on proper body language, voice tone,
and verbal project descriptions were given in this workshop. This works shop
was open to all in the School of ECE.

Creating a Scientific Research Poster Workshop: Conducted by Christina
BourgeoisFebruary 28, 2008
The March workshop conducted by Christina Bourgeois, Director of the ECE Undergraduate
Professional Communication Program is an ORS tradition. The agenda includes learning
how to organize and present the research poster. Scholars share their prepared “elevator
pitch” that succinctly describes their research for the semester.

A Glimpse into Industry: Special Guest Elise Wilder of Rockwell
Collins, IncJanuary 30, 2008
Elise Wilder of Rockwell Collins, Inc. took time out of her busy schedule to
come in and conduct a workshop to our group about life after graduation and the
transition to industry. This was an informative, interactive, fun workshop that
was enjoyed by all who attended.

Holiday Community ServiceNovember 29, 2007
This was an ECE department-wide community service event sponsored
by the ORS Program in preparation for the winter holidays. Toiletries and
children’s
books were collected and wrapped in gift bags to donate to the Lindberg
Women's and Children Health Center, the Genesis Shelter, and the
Grady International Medical Center.

Engineering Research Skills WorkshopNovember 11, 2007
A presentation by PhD candidate, Jackie Fairley, and ORS PhD mentor,
Yamille del Valle, discussing best practices for undergraduate research
was given. The topics covered included: Maintaining a research notebook
and lab notebook, How to conduct a literature search and review, and an
interactive "elevator
speech" activity was the highlight of the session.

Mentor WorkshopOctober 23, 2007
Topics covered in this session were the overview and expectations for program
mentors. An interactive discussion was moderated by past ORS mentors, along
with group case studies and a discussion of hypothetical situations.

Program OrientationOctober 10, 2007
ORS kickoff orientation and dinner event with special guest speaker Nan Mattai
from Rockwell Collins, Inc. and address from ECE Chair, Dr. Gary May. Research
posters from previous years were displayed.

Perspective Scholars Meeting 2October 2, 2007
ORS Program Informational (meeting 2) held to give perspective ORS Scholars
an opportunity to learn about the program and apply to participate.

Perspective Scholars Meeting 1September 1, 2007
ORS Program Informational (meeting 1) held to give perspective
ORS Scholars an opportunity to learn about the program and apply to participate.

ECE Returning Students Fall Kickoff Pizza LunchAugust 29, 2007
Kickoff lunch for returning ECE ORS Scholars and mentors.
The event included ice breaker and team building activities and review
of ORS program components.